Participants of the HealthMatters
program celebrated their
accomplishments during a joyous
graduation ceremony
Transforming Lives
Fall 2016
HealthMatters - Helping consumers with IDD achieve a healthier lifestyle
Cheers, claps and smiles filled the room
as participants of the HealthMatters
Program received their graduation
certificates. This recognition came
after individuals with intellectual
and developmental disabilities (IDD)
completed a 12-week training in which
they learned about good nutrition and
the importance of increasing exercise.
“The HealthMatters Program is a
partnership between the community
and academia with a common aim
to improve the health of people with
developmental disabilities. The program
helps persons with disabilities make
choices about health, exercise and
nutrition,” said ICF-IDD & TxHmL
Services Department Director Lily Pan.
Promoting Fitness for All, HealthMatters
had a variety of hands-on activities for
participants which included exercising,
shopping for healthy food items,
discussions on nutritional information
and others. The program also allowed
parents to learn how to support a healthy
lifestyle for their loved ones.
“With the hands-on activities, persons
with disabilities increase motivation and
skills they need to improve their health
and make good habits last a lifetime,”
Lily said.
The Arc of Greater Houston is the project
coordinator and in March of 2016,
individuals who attend The Harris Center
Gessner Day Program were informed
about HealthMatters. Within the Gessner
Day Program, individuals participate
in community activities like the
HealthMatters Program, along with choir
practice, the Home Depot Workshop,
bowling and the Exercise & Scrapbook
Program in the Alief Community Center,
just to name a few.
“The Gessner Day Program offers
habilitation services tailored to the
varied needs of the individuals with a
focus on community integration,” said
Lily.
Most health promotion activities
are usually targeted to the general
population, and individuals with
intellectual disabilities are left behind.
That is why programs like HealthMatters
are highly important in our community.
Initiatives like these are to help
individuals stay active and involved.
“Persons with low health literacy have
higher utilization of treatment services.
Improved health education and health
literacy is a critical component for
persons with intellectual disabilities
to gain control over their health and
manage chronic conditions,” Lily said.
In addition to this program, The Harris
Center offers a variety of other programs
that help individuals with IDD. For more
information contact the HelpLine at
713-970-7000.
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